Southwest Airlines Shares New Initiatives, Including Changes To Free Bag Policy

America’s largest domestic air carrier Southwest Airlines Co. just shared a list of its newest initiatives designed to support the company’s business objectives and create more choices for its customers. According to the brand, the initiatives, which were announced early this morning, will reward its most loyal customers in addition to providing a broader range of travel experiences for all.

Southwest’s New Initiatives Include:

• Southwest will continue to offer Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Customers traveling on Business Select two free checked bags. A-List Members and other select Customers will be offered one free checked bag. According to the brand, Southwest will credit one checked bag for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers. Those who do not qualify for the carrier’s updated free bag options will be charged for their first and second checked bag, and travelers should note that weight and size limitations do apply. Southwest says these changes will go into effect on flights booked on or after May 28, 2025.
• The number of Rapid Rewards points Customers can earn on qualifying flights is changing too. Moving forward, Southwest says Customers will now earn more points on Business Select fares while earning less on Wanna Get Away and Wanna Get Away Plus fares. The loyalty program will also introduce variable redemption rates across its higher-demand and lower-demand flights.
• According to Southwest, these strategic moves are part of its plan to deepen and reward loyalty among its most engaged Customers as well as create new opportunities for those who value fare above all. To align with these changes, the brand plans to introduce a new, Basic fare on its lowest priced tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, in advance of offering assigned seating and extra legroom options.
• Southwest partnered with Expedia in February 2025 to widen its distribution channels and reach new customers.
• Flight credits for tickets purchased on or after May 28, 2025, will expire one year or earlier from the date of ticketing, depending on the fare type purchased.

"We have tremendous opportunity to meet current and future Customer needs, attract new Customer segments we don't compete for today, and return to the levels of profitability that both we and our Shareholders expect," said Bob Jordan, president, chief executive officer and vice chairman of the board of directors at Southwest Airlines. "We will do all this while remaining focused on what's made us strong—our People and the authentic, friendly, and award-winning Customer Service only they can provide."

These changes come ahead of the airline’s plans to implement assigned seating and extra legroom options in addition to its initial industry-standard airline partnership with Icelandair that began on February 13. “Southwest Airlines remains committed to its core tenets—amazing People who deliver great Hospitality to all Southwest Customers, a strong network with the most nonstop flights within the U.S., and a loyalty program that gives real value to Rapid Rewards Members,” said the brand.